Machine for applying edge bindings to shoe uppers



R. A. HARTT May 18, 1937.

MACHINE FOR APPLYING EDGE BINDINGS TO SHOE UPPERS 2 sheets sheet 1 Filed March 14, 1934 May 18, 1937. R. A. HARTT 2,080,712

MACHINE) FOR APPLYING EDGE BINDINGS TO SHOE UPPERS I Filed March 14, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STATES MACHINE FOR APPLYING EDGE BINDINGS TO SHO-E UPPERS Robert A. Hartt, Lynn, Mass. Application March 14, 1934, Serial No. 715,516

6 Claims.

This invention relates to folding machines and more especially to those designed for use in applying a strip of binding, piping, or similar reinforcing or finishing material to the uppers of shoes and to other articles of work in which the edges are bound or finished in a similar manner. Such machines find an especially important use in the manufacture of womens shoes for the application of what is known as French cord binding to the edges of the uppers.

According to the customary practice a strip of binding is sewed to the outer margin of the edge portion of a shoe upper, and later is folded over the edge and cemented down. In an earlier application I have shown and described a machine for applying binding of this type which is coated with an adhesive that normally ishard and nontacky but which is adapted to be rendered tacky by heating to temperatures somewhat above normal. In that machine provision is made for blowing a current of air or other hot gaseous fluid against the coated surface of the bindingas the work is fed through the folding instrumentalities, thus making the adhesive on the binding sticky, so that when it is folded over the edge of the upper or other article of work and is pressed down, it will be securely held in place by the adhesive. Such a procedure avoids the necessity for applying cement during the fold"- ing operation and thus substantially eliminates any danger of damaging the work due to the accidental application of cement to those portions of the upper which are to be exposed, or which, for any other reason, should not be ccmented. The invention disclosed in said application has proved commercially valuable and has gone into substantial practical use. The present invention aims further to improve and perfect mechanisms of this general character, although it is contemplated that the invention may also be used in other folding machines.

In equipping folding machines with apparatus for supplying hot air to them for the purposes above mentioned, it has been customary either to use a main supply of hot air piped to 'a series of machines, or elseto use a separateair supplying apparatus for each individual machine, the latter practice being more common than'the former. In either arrangement a continuousstream or jet of hot air is delivered to the folding instrumentalities, no provision being made for controlling the delivery of air or other gaseous fluidin accordance with variations in the requirements of the machine or of the work. For the'best resultstheadhesive coating on-the binding shouldbe heated to a certain optimum temperature where it is sticky and plastic but still is not entirely fluid. In prior arrangements, however, during the periods in which the operator is changing from one piece of work to another, or for any 5 other reason is not using the machine, the discharge of hot air continues and heats up the folding devices to such a high temperature that when she puts a piece-of work into the machine she is very likely to burn her fingers. Or she may find 10* that the parts have been so overheated that the adhesive on the binding will be rendered too fluid to give the best results. In addition, thesupply of hot air required by the work varies with I the rate at which the machine is operating and I5 is considerably greater when the machine isrun-" ningat a high speed than when it is slowed down for some reason, as for example, in turning a corner or doing a diflicult portion of the work; A further objection to prior arrangements of the 2 type in which air supplying apparatus is used individual to the respective machines has been that such apparatus is in the way and is the cause of considerable annoyance.

The present invention deals especially with these conditions and it aims to devise 'athoroughly practical solution for the problem presented'by them.

The nature of the invention will be'readily understood from the following description when 30 read in connection with the'accompanying drawings, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a common 3'5 commercial form of folding machine equipped with apparatus embodying features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of parts of the machine at the folding point; 40?

Fig. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, of an attachment for supplying hot air organized in" accordance with this invention;

Fig. 4' is a vertical, sectional View; partly in" elevation, showing the fan and adjacent parts 45 of the attachment shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an end view'of part of said attachmentshowing, in vertical section, the-devicesfor mounting it on the machine; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view, partly 'insection, 5 of an article of work produced in the machine.

The drawings show the-inventionapplied to arotary folding machine of acommon commercial construction, this machine being designed "especially for applying the so-called French cord binding to the uppers of shoes and other kinds of work which can be handled in essentially the same manner. As above stated, the usual practice is to stitch the binding strip 2, Fig. 6, to the edge of the part 3 of the upper, or equivalent article of work, and later to fold the unattached margin of the binding over the edge of the upper and to press it down upon the margin of the upper, substantially as shown in Fig. 6. Prior to performing this folding operation, however, the coating of meltable adhesive carried by the inner surface of the binding strip is softened so that when the binding is folded over and pressed down it will be held securely in its folded position.

The machine shown includes a driven feed wheel 5, which serves both to support and feed the work, and a rotary head 6 carrying a series of folding disks 1 which not only .revolvewith the head but are also positively rotated'on their own axes. A guide block 8 is positioned adjacent to the wheel 5 and head 6 and is provided with an angular guiding surface across which the work is fed on its way to the folding disks. As the binding travels across the guide block 8 it is pressed into the angle of the guiding face by a small roll orwheel 9, Fig. 2, having a toothed edge, the wheel being supported for yielding movement toward and fro-m the guide block.

So far as these features are concerned the machine shown is of the common commercial construction. It will be observed that the axis of the rotary head 6 is located diagonally with reference to that of the feed wheel 5, the arrangement being suchthat as the work is fed across the guide block 8, the binding 2 is bent or folded upwardly at approximately right angles to and across the edge of the section 3 of the shoe upper, and as it passes out of engagement with the upright guiding surface of the block, it is engaged by the disks I and wiped forward over the margin of the upper. The disks press it down.

into substantially the position shown in Fig. 6; The inner surface of the binding is coated with the adhesive, and a current of air or other hot gaseous fluid is directed through the tube I and against the coating of adhesive while the binding is moving-across the face of the guide block so that it softens the adhesive and makes it sticky before it is folded over by the wipers I.

The attachment provided by this invention for supplying hot air comprises a small fan or blower I2, mounted in a tapered casing I3, this casing being connected by a tube or conduit I4 with the casing I5 of a heater unit to which the small discharge tube Ill is secured. Located in the latter casing is an electric heating unit I5, through and around which the current of air created by the fan I2 is forced, this unit being of such a size as to heat the current of air to approximately the desired temperature. While this temperature can vary considerably, a temperature of from approximately 160 to 180 F. of the 1 required necessarily will vary with the nature of the adhesive, and consequently, some variation may be found with different makes of bindings. Preferably the heating unit I6 is removably supported entirely from its upper end in the casing I5, the insulator being of a reticulated or foraminous form so that a very free flow of air around the resistance Wire occurs. This casing'is removably secured to theconduit section I4 as by screws I'I-I'I, and the latter section is similarly secured by screws I8-I8 to the end of the casing I3.

The fan or blower is mounted on a shaft which is supported in two bearings, one carried by the removable perforated end plate 2I of the casing and the other by the bearing arm 22 that is secured to said end plate, Preferably a stationary baffle plate 23 is secured in the casing in axial alinement with the fan where it serves to direct forwardly the air propelled by the fan and to prevent the rotation of any substantial body of air with the fan.

with a cone clutch face arranged to engage a similar face on the constantly driven idle pulley 21 which runs on the same shaft with the fly wheel 25 but is loosely mounted on said shaft. This pulley is grooved to receivea driving belt 28 which,.as shown, usually runs through the table and is driven from a pulley 29 which may either be mounted on a counter shaft driven by an electric motor 30 or may be connected to power in any other convenient manner. Mountedimmediately below the pulley 21 is a rocker 3| which carries the brake 26 and also supports a cam arm 32. This rocker is connected through mechanism, not shown, but which is a regular part of the machine, to a chain 33, the lower end of which is fastened to an arm 34 projecting from a treadle 35. v

The arrangement is such that when the treadle is depressed the rocker 3| is swung toward the observer, Fig. 1, thus releasing the brake 26 from the fly wheel 25 and swinging the cam-shaped end of the arm 32 across and'into contact with the usual button 36 on the end of the pulley 21. This movement forces the pulley 21 toward the left and into driving engagement with the fly wheel 25, thus operatingthrough the driving connections in the machine to revolve the feed wheel 5 and the folder head 6. It should be understood that the parts 25, 26, 21, and 3| to 35, inclusive, and the connections between them, are all standard parts of the particular folding machine shown and are not parts pro-.

begins to revolve it starts up the fan I2 and thus.

forces air through the casing I3, conduit I4 and the heater unit to the work, this air being heated immediately prior to its delivery. The delivery of hot air to the work, therefore, starts simul-.

taneously with the starting of the machine. Furthermore, since the heater I6 is located closely adjacent to the point at which the air is discharged, it keeps the tube Ill continuously heated, and some air flows slowly by convection through the tube In and the heater back into the conduit I4, and sometimes also into the casing I3. A supply of hot air thus is always available, even when the machine is idle, and the current of air directed against the work when the machine starts up is heated to the desired temperature and is delivered instantly upon the starting of the machine without any intervening delivery of cool air. The flow of hot air stops instantly when the machine isstopped due to the fact that the fly wheel 25 stops.

With this arrangement, therefore, the supply of hot air is controlled jointly with the operation of the machine, both being governed by the manual movement of the treadle 35. The air supplying apparatus thus is operated only when it is needed. In addition, the fact that the fan or blower I2 is driven from the fly wheel 25 and its speed consequently varies with the speed of operation of the machine, provides for the variation of the delivery of hot air to the work in accordance with variations in the requirements of the work. In other words, if the operator slows down the machine for any reason, as for example, in turning a difficult corner, the rate of discharge of air to the work is automatically reduced during this period in which less air is required, but the supply is increased again when the machine speeds up. A better operating condition thus is maintained.

For the purpose of operatively supporting the air supplying apparatus, the casing 55 is removably secured to the machine frame by a metal strap 36, Fig. l, and the fan casing I3 is mounted on a bracket mechanism which also is removable. This bracket structure is best shown in Figs. 1 and 5. It comprises a U-shaped member 31, adapted to straddle the top of the casing, with its legs fitting snugly against the opposite sides of the machine frame and releasably secured to said frame by two screws, one of which is shown at 38, and the other being secured similarly to the machine. Pivoted to this member 3'! is a small bracket having an upright arm that is screwed securely to and supports the fan casing l3. A leaf spring M, Fig. 5, is secured to this bracket and bears on the top of the U-shaped member where it tends to hold the friction wheel 25 out of contact with the fly wheel 25. A screw 42 is threaded through the horizontal arm of the bracket 4!] and into the member 38, so that by turning this screw in or out, the contact of the friction wheel 24 with the surface of the fly Wheel 25 may be adjusted. This adjustment can be made while the blower is running, if desired. Such mounting of the parts provides for the convenient attachment or removal of the air supplying apparatus. At the same time this apparatus is so constructed that it occupies relatively little space, is out of the way, it leaves the table room unencumbered, and. it requires a minimum of attention on the part of the machine operator.

The invention therefore effectually overcomes the various difficulties above described while providing an arrangement which can be manufactured and installed more economically, is cheaper to operate, and is more convenient to use.

While I have herein shown and described a typical embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that the construction shown has been designed with particular reference to the requirements of the individual folding machine illustrated in the drawings, and that some changes in the construction, mounting and driving of the attachment may be required in adapting it to other makes of machines, while still retaining the esential characteristics of the illustrated embodiment of the invention. Consequently, the invention may be embodied in a variety of forms without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Also, in the particular machine shown the fan and the machine start and stop together. It is contemplated, however, that it may be desirable in some installations to make the fan start slightly in advance of the machine while still retaining the simplicity of control of the arrangement shown. This can be done in several ways, as for example by mounting the friction pulley on the outside of the outer bearing 22 where it can be driven by the pulley 27, allowing the casing I3 to swing on its pivot and connecting itwith the treadle so that the first part of the depressing movement of the treadle will bring the friction wheel into contact with the pulley 21 and will initiate the flow of hot air slightly before starting the machine into operation. These and other changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The treadle 43 and its connections through the belt crank lever 4:4 and chain 35 are those with which the machine commonly is equipped for raising and lowering the feed wheel 5.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

1. In a folding machine, the combination with folding instrumentalities, of means for directing a current of hot gaseous fluid against the portion of the work to be operated upon, said means including a fan, and mechanism for driving said fan comprising a driving element common to both the fan and the machine and a constantly driven member for driving said element, and means for starting and stopping the operation of said element by said member.

2. In a folding machine, the combination with folding instrumentalities, of means for directing a current of hot gaseous fluid against the portion of the work to be operated upon, said means including a fan, and mechanism for driving said fan comprising a driving element common to both the fan and the machine and a constantly driven member for driving said element, and a single controlling device for starting and stopping the operation of said element by said member.

3. In a folding machine, the combination with folding instrumentalities, of means for directing a current of hot gaseous fluid against the portion of the work to be operated upon, and means for controlling the delivery of said hot gaseous fluid to the work substantially in accordance with variations in the speed at which the work is operated upon.

4. In a folding machine, the combination with folding instrumentalities, of means for directing a current of hot air against the portion of the work to be operated upon; said means including power driven apparatus for creating a confined flow of air, means for heating said air, and means for conducting the heated air to the point of discharge; and additional means for controlling the delivery of said air to the work substantially in accordance with variations in the requirements of the Work.

5. In a folding machine, the combination with folding instrumentalities, of means for directing a current of hot air against the portion of the work to be operated upon; said means including power driven apparatus for creating a confined flow of air and means for heating said air; said means being constructed and arranged to hold a supply of hot air closely adjacent to the point of discharge and in readiness for delivery during the period in which the apparatus is not in operation, and means under the constant control of the operator for starting said delivery of air to the work instantly.

6. In a folding machine, the combination with folding instrumentalities, of means for directing a current of hot air against the portion of the work to be operated upon; said means including power driven apparatus for creating a confined flow of air and means for heating said air; said means being constructed and arranged to maintain a supply of heated air ready for instant delivery to the work but in such a condition that delivery to the normal .working position is prevented, a treadle, and connections arranged to be operated by said treadle for effecting such delivery, when desired, without an intervening delivery of cool air to the work.

ROBERT A. HAR'I'T. 

